Jan-14-09 Commissioner Doria Addresses League of Municipalities

Commissioner Doria Addresses League of MunicipalitiesDiscusses COAH & State Aid with Local Officials

TRENTON – Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Commissioner Joseph Doria today spoke at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities 17th Annual Mayors’ Legislative Day. He discussed the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) and state aid.

“With regards to affordable housing, you only build it when other types of growth, like non-residential commercial development and market rate housing, have taken place,” said Commissioner Doria. “The COAH process is tied to a growth share method, so if no growth is taking place in your community, and given these difficult times I would imagine limited growth has occurred, then you are not responsible for building affordable housing.”

Commissioner Doria described COAH’s third round housing plan review process, which provides flexibility and a revision period, and informed those assembled that discussions are being held on how to implement Governor Corzine’s proposal to place a one year moratorium on the 2.5% affordable housing development fee on non-residential development. Additionally, he discussed state aid, specifically extraordinary aid.

“Extraordinary aid decisions (for FY budget towns) cannot be made because we have to await the outcome of the pension deferral payments legislation in the state legislature,” said Commissioner Doria. “We hope this issue will be resolved shortly and will not impact calendar year towns. In the meantime, we have instructed fiscal year municipalities to send out estimated tax bills.”